It doesn't have a US distributor (yet): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7678100/
Thank you for providing information about this movie. I may have missed it otherwise. I visited the web site and I definitely want to see it. I hope it will be available soon so I can watch it with my SO.
love
Thank you for the link. I just read it and the movie sounds interesting, I hope it finds an american distributor. Or maybe it will get on the Sundance channel, I would be interested in seeing it and maybe recommending it to friends and family.
It was interesting how the star found her Voice and went for training on how to play the part, it sounds like she was really interested in doing a good job with the part.
Sarah
kool i wanna see this film one day
It is going to be released on Dec 2nd. I'm not sure where since it's says limited release.
Release dates for Transamerica (2005) (from the Internet Movie Database)
Country Date
Germany 14 February 2005 (Berlin International Film Festival)
USA 24 April 2005 (Tribeca Film Festival)
USA 26 June 2005 (San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival)
Taiwan 27 June 2005 (Taipei Film Festival)
France 6 September 2005 (Deauville Film Festival)
Canada 16 September 2005 (Toronto Film Festival)
USA 9 October 2005 (Mill Valley Film Festival)
UK 22 October 2005 (London Film Festival)
USA 2 December 2005 (limited)
Finland 3 March 2006
Cailyn
Rats,
Big black rats,
With tails this Lo______________________________________ng
Missed it when it was playing in Toronto. >:(
Wow... Nice pic Cailyn.
Steph
More about this movie:
Transamerica
Release Date: December 2, 2005 (NY, LA)
Studio: The Weinstein Co., IFC Films
Director: Duncan Tucker
Screenwriter: Duncan Tucker
Starring: Felicity Huffman, Kevin Zegers, Fionnula Flanagan, Graham Greene, Elizabeth Peña, Jon Budinoff
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for sexual content, nudity, language and drug use)
Official Website: Not Available
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD/VHS: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: Not Available
Plot Summary: Bree (Felicity Huffman) is a born-again Christian and male pre-op transexual living in L.A. and trying to save up his money to become a woman. One day, he learns that he had fathered a son, Toby, who is now jailed in New York, so Bree flies across the country to get him out of jail. Toby, not realizing that Bree is his father (or a man) instead thinking she's a Christian missionary, is released to Bree's custody, and he agrees to travel with her across country back to L.A., just looking for his chance to escape from her.
There is now an official website with a preview trailer at:
http://www.transamerica-movie.com/
Cailyn
Thank you so much for the link Cailyn! The film sounds great.
beth
I saw the movie promo today online. It looks like a really good & funny movie! From what I saw, there is definately no "drag-queen" or parody approach to being ts. From what I read today, Transamerica is up for 2 Golden Globes and may be nominated for an Oscar.
Given my day-to-day life, I found "Normal" to be too serious - maybe too close to the truth. "Transamerica" looks like a great laugh with a great message.
Chaunte
Saw Transamerica today. It lives up to the hype. Go see it. You won't be disappointed. :)
This is one movie I plan to see. It has generally gotten good reviews from the general public, but I haven't heard any from the transsexual point of view, have you Alexandra?
Steph
Oddly enough, it has been quiet. Of course prior to this week Transamerica was only shown in only 6 theatres total in the whole country. Others that saw earlier private screenings were movie critics. (Of course, there were those who saw the film at film festivals.)
For some reason, although it is only a hunch, I'm thinking TG people in general are not so enthusiasic about movies as our gay & lesbian conterparts. Discussion on films in various TG-related forums usually don't generate much conversation . . . I don't know about this forum, I'm rather new here. What say you?
It would be nice to see some TG reviews but I can't remember any TG movie stirring the community here. I could be wrong though. It would be nice to get some feed back. But as you mentioned the movie is not on wide distribution yet. May be once it's really out there. I know it got a lot of attention at the Golden Globes.
Steph
*shrug* I'm sorry... I'm living it I don't particularly need to be reminded of that fact. Besides, I like SciFi and Fantasy... modern day stuff ... someone else can watch (=
That said, I might watch it eventually (before) as I might recommend it to some family members. But to be honest that kind of sums up my interest in it.
Quote from: Kimberly on January 21, 2006, 08:28:24 PM
*shrug* I'm sorry... I'm living it I don't particularly need to be reminded of that fact. Besides, I like SciFi and Fantasy... modern day stuff ... someone else can watch (=
That said, I might watch it eventually (before) as I might recommend it to some family members. But to be honest that kind of sums up my interest in it.
And this brings up an interesting point.
QuoteI'm living it I don't particularly need to be reminded of that fact.
This would seem common feeling among our community, however the Gay community is raving about "Broke Back Mountain" and isn't the Gay community "living it" as well. It's almost as if "I'm living it" implies that we are doing some thing wrong.
Any thoughts.
Steph
Well, Steph, I would love to see this movie. I try to watch all the TG movies or series that I can. I don't particularly like sub titles though. I do like for them to be interesting as I thought Normal was. I taped that movie and showed it to my City manager and the mayor. I will be looking for this movie, either in video or on TV if they don't show it in the movies here. It has at least won some awards and they should at least show it.
Sheila
Quote from: Stephanie Craxford on January 21, 2006, 09:03:52 PM...
It's almost as if "I'm living it" implies that we are doing some thing wrong.
...
Doing something wrong? No, closer to living a nightmare and grinning and bearing it.
I don't think societies' disapproval at one's sexual preference is in the same category as this.
Quote from: Kimberly on January 21, 2006, 11:09:24 PM
Doing something wrong? No, closer to living a nightmare and grinning and bearing it.
I don't think societies' disapproval at one's sexual preference is in the same category as this.
As usual Kimberly a very good point, for some it is a nightmare. However I still think that the two parallel each other. It's almost as though we are afraid to look in the mirror because we may not like what is reflected back at us.
Hmmmm definitely points to ponder :)
Steph
I don't think this film is gonna get "wider distribution". :( the theatre wasn't exactly filled when I went on opening night. An Oscar nomination from Huffman might help, but it isn't gonna catch fire like Brokeback Mt. (we'll have to wait for the DVD)
Speaking of which, Brokeback Mt is playing in the same theatre as "Transamerica" and gay viewers are flocking to it donned up in cowboy attire and hats! :)
IMO Transamerica is FAR SUPERIOR than "Normal" which I thought was not that great of a movie to begin with -- at least certainly NOT what I see when I look in a mirror. :o
Quote from: Stephanie Craxford on January 21, 2006, 11:22:21 PM...
It's almost as though we are afraid to look in the mirror because we may not like what is reflected back at us.
...
Hmmmm definitely points to ponder :)
...
Yes indeed. Thank you for the perspective.
I saw "Transamerica" a few days ago. Felicity was very good as a TS though, knowing what I do about the movie-sound biz, I wonder if they pitched her voice down a bit when they dubbed it. I would presume, even if they did, that no one would admit it.
By now, I'm sure you'all know that Felicity won the Golden Globe for acting in a drama. While I agree that she's very good, I find it interesting how people who play opposite genders in movies are often considered GREAT actors. Is it REALLY that much of a stretch for an actor to play an opposite gender or is it society's thinking that men and women are totally opposite? To me, the true test of great acting is to have an actor try to read dumb lines in a television drama and have them seem wonderful...lines like, "which way did he go?" or "the body is over here."
My best friend thoroughly enjoyed "Transamerica" and even saw it twice. She was probably disappointed that I wasn't that excited about the film. Maybe, like some of you mention, TS's aren't as excited about TS films as gays are about their films. For me, part of it is seeing Felicity as a somewhat unattractive female or, as her husband, Bill Macey, was kind enough to say regarding her first appearance in the film, "She was butt-ugly." Most of us don't care to re-live that period. My comment to my friend, after the movie, was, "I hope that we'll reach a point of acceptance where being TS isn't something novel or fascinating to society. I can't wait for society to become bored with us and will just let us be.
Teri Anne
Huffman's performance is great. I found her character and look endearing, that is what made the film. There are few lines that show the writters or directors did not completely understand the subject. It is a good film that features a great performance. Overall it is worth seeing for the transsexual, just expect some disappointments, tears and lots of laughs.
I have been there and lived it complete with a son. Its ironic that the first time my son and I got together after I started transition we went on a road trip together
I just can't see why I would want to revisit through pictures a place that I have walked in real life.
Leigh
I just got through seeing Transamerica. I really didn't care for it that much. I think they could have done a better job with it. I just didn't see the reality in it. There were parts that just weren't true, while transitioning. Well, that is my opinion of the movie.
Sheila
Quote from: Sheila on March 05, 2006, 06:35:07 PM
I just got through seeing Transamerica. I really didn't care for it that much. I think they could have done a better job with it. I just didn't see the reality in it. There were parts that just weren't true, while transitioning. Well, that is my opinion of the movie.
Sheila
Sheila, if you're not opposed to the idea, would you mind sharing those things that you viewed as inaccurate? It would be a help to GG's such as myself to be able to discern such things...
Valerie
Towards the beginning of the movie, the psychologist witholds the approval letter for SRS just because she didn't like how the TS relates to her newly found wayward son. I found that verrrry annoying. Not only do TS's have to jump through hoops in the RLT but now docs get to rule on how a TS should get along with a son the doc has never met? I would hope that no doc would act that way but I guess I've heard worse -- docs that demand that, as part of RLT, that the TS dress in a stereotypically feminine way -- ie dresses, makeup. Many GG's don't have to wear dresses and makeup to be considered women yet some rogue psych's I've heard demand it if you want THE LETTER.
Teri Anne
The film was far from perfect but then a film about any subject that one knows a lot about is always far from perfect.
I thought there were true moments to go along with the unlikely. The fact that she had 2 jobs, one that started as a dish washer and one telemarketing had an honest ring. The relationship with her family rang true although it was exaggerated to be humorous. The two doctors acted a bit strange as Terri Anne said but it did imply that we do have to jump through hoops and pretend to be "mentally ill" so that plastic surgery can cure the mental illness.
I just loved the main character, she was funny, vulnerable, strong and her heart was in the right place.
beth
Quote from: Leigh on March 04, 2006, 09:57:00 AM
I have been there and lived it complete with a son. Its ironic that the first time my son and I got together after I started transition we went on a road trip together
I just can't see why I would want to revisit through pictures a place that I have walked in real life.
Leigh
I tend to agree Leigh. I was initially hyped to see the movie but the feeling has cooled some what. I'm pressently going through this with my daughter, hopefully with a happy outcome. Hmmmm seems it would be like looking in the mirror and that could be scary :)
Steph
Steph
Towards the beginning of the movie, the psychologist witholds the approval letter for SRS just because she didn't like how the TS relates to her newly found wayward son. I found that verrrry annoying.
I know, that bugged the heck out of me. I found that part pretty unbelievable, as well as that Bree would have had a son she was never informed about, a son who knew her name and never attempted to contact her until he was seventeen and in prison.
The two doctors acted a bit strange as Terri Anne said but it did imply that we do have to jump through hoops and pretend to be "mentally ill" so that plastic surgery can cure the mental illness.
I agree...I did like Bree's response to the Psychiatrist when he said that Trannsexualism is considered a serious mental illness..."Funny that a mental illness can be cured with plastic surgery". Perhaps it will cause some people to think a little bit.
It had it's flaws but I very much enjoyed the film. It's a topic that is almost never seen on the big screen and it was handled in a sensitive manner. I wish that it had enjoyed a wider distribution. How long has this film been out, and it only just arrived in my city ten days ago!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407265/releaseinfo
Lets see, my memory is not that good so I will try and remember some things. As mentioned before, the letter. She was going to receive it just before surgery? I would have thought, I know in my case, she would have had the letter and would have given it to the surgeon long before that. Also the psychologists way of talking with her on being a mental case. I don't know if anyone saw this, but you have to go off your hormones for 2 weeks before surgery and at least 2 weeks after. She was on hormones right up until surgery. When she was in the bath tub at the last of the picture, I would have assumed that was right after surgery, she had pubic hair and was not the least bit swollen. Then there was the time she went pee outside the car. Also, she had these low paying jobs and she was going to LA for surgery, one the the most expensive places for surgery. Oh, and that party, those stents for dialating. WHOA! I don't think I would have used one of those after surgery. Maybe a year afterwards, anyway for me.
I know it was just a movie and it did address transsexualism and I liked that.
Sheila
Quote from: Sheila on March 10, 2006, 10:42:39 AMOh, and that party, those stents for dialating.
I think that entire scene was kinda unfortunate. For the non-TS viewer, it gave the impression that transsexualism is a kind of hobby or lifestyle where members get together to compare the new female parts they had installed. It reminded me of when men get together to talk about cars.
I saw the movie Sunday evening with a few friends. I'm really glad I invited them. We had dinner before walking over to the theatre. Ana proposed a toast. She said, "To friends....to Transamerica...to transition...to trans-people...to trans-everything." That made me smile big inside. After the movie, they all 3 thanked me, saying they hadn't previously known that it was showing in our town.
I was particularly disturbed by the scene after the party, in the bedroom when Bree apologizes to Toby for the behaviour of 'those ersatz women'. I think the character only called them phony as a self-preservation tactic, so that she wouldn't betray to Toby any hint that she was one of them, but I think it might portray to some movie-goers that transexual women are somehow phony...it may also be a reflection of the scriptwriter's lack of understanding of the subject.
I think the bathtub scene was supposed to have taken place after a passage of time....after all, they showed Toby's progress in the film industry, also... I think they were just showing how both Bree and Toby had gone on with their lives without each other...
Just my 2 cents' worth....
Valerie
Quote from: Valerie on March 10, 2006, 11:55:41 AMI was particularly disturbed by the scene after the party, in the bedroom when Bree apologizes to Toby...
Ah yes, that was the other questionable scene: when Toby holds up the nightgown to himself in the mirror.
I know it's only natural curiousity and all, but I fear everyone now thinks that exposing their kids to transsexuals will "corrupt" them.
Kate, you wrote, "For the non-TS viewer, it gave the impression that transsexualism is a kind of hobby or lifestyle where members get together to compare the new female parts they had installed." Good point. I've been to several TG groups in L.A. and never came across a group like that. Even at a private party, we all just talked about a variety of things including politics, movies and global warming. You know, "normal" stuff.
Sheila, you get the most points for noticing all the things that seem contrary to reality! I hadn't noticed the hormones right before surgery. Yikes! And, you're right. The LETTER would have had to have been received by the doc to even schedule the surgery. And, yes, L.A. has a ridiculously expensive SRS surgeon.
Valerie, ohhh gosh you're so correct! I don't have a religious conservative right mind but yeah, I can just feel them cringing at seeing Toby hold the female nightgown up. It's like a DISEASE. Look out society! Forget about bird flu! Lock the kids in the closet for their own good. And, as the Pope said the other day, don't let kids get adopted by gays, either -- or they'll catch that too!
Teri Anne
I hope that this is OK to reply to such an old topic, but I think a lot of the comments addressed here are good, so it's kind of like a free "bump" up. Okay . . .
So, I saw this on DVD Sunday, and, honestly, I really liked it. I'm pretty sure I'm not TS (see my introduction if you want that spiel), but I thought it was really well done. Huffman did a great job, I think, and should have won some award for her efforts. Though the nuts and bolts of the process weren't 100 accurate (the letter, the psychiatrist, L.A., etc.), I was willing to let those slide because they served to move the story along.
And I usually am pretty picky about my movies and their realism, but any expert in a given field will find holes. A knife and gun enthusiast friend of mine is horrible to see action movies with, and I'm kind of bad about when characters discuss literature. We must divorce ourselves and our own pickiness from the truly bad and egregious errors and performances.
There was a line that went something along the lines of "I am a transsexual, not a ->-bleeped-<-." I took that as part of the conservative-ness of Brie's character, not the movie's statement.
On that note, the party was a bad scene. I would have liked it all toned down a bit, giving a bit in to the social-ness that we're expressing here, but more subtle. That was one of the few campy moments, and I don't really care for camp.
The nightgown scene. I tied that together with the boy's continued experimentation with, you know, everything sexual. The boys, the girls, the prostitution, the search for identity that teenagers (and some adults) are going through. I guess I really identified with the boy, and that helped.
That's all for now. It's time for beauty sleep for me.
Hello Beatrix.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with replying to old topics, resurrecting them if you like, you just have to be sure that your reply is relevant to the issue that was being discussed. And yours is :)
Steph
My wife and I saw this film on DVD last night. If you have not yet seen it I highly recommend it. Felicity Huffman plays the role of Bree in a very believable way. She brings a touch of masculinity to the role. Many of the other characters are little more than stereotypes, but on the whole the film does a good job of presenting the experience of being transgender in a very credible fashion.
I bought this movie last week on DVD and I thought it was very well done. I think there are so many varibles within the transgendered community that one movie can't possibly capture everything and please everyone. Felicity Huffman did a wonderful job of portraying a TS woman. I loved the character she played in the movie. She was funny, vulnerable, strong and her heart was in the right place.
Shannon
Hi All,
I found the movie fine but like Shannon said, too many variables to really cover all of them. There were attempts at getting educational information out to the general public on several ocassions that I did notice. I like more movement and action in a movie and it failed there big time...it was slow paced, but I think it almost had to be, because of the focus on getting info out...talking can slow a movie down. The actress was damn good, gotta hand her that!
Peace,
Taylor
Quote from: taylor on June 04, 2006, 09:07:36 PM
I like more movement and action in a movie and it failed there big time...it was slow paced, but I think it almost had to be, because of the focus on getting info out...talking can slow a movie down.
Men. ::)
Melissa
This is a relationship movie. If you want action, then I recommend "Thelma and Louise". >:D It is interesting to see how, in "Transamerica", Bree goes from denial that she is a father to accepting the role of mother. That was an enlightening transition.
To me, the best thing about the movie was its presentation of a transsexual as a real person with flaws, eccentricities, and insecurities. It was a welcome change from the portrayals of TG people the public usually sees.
Yes, there were technical inaccuracies, but who cares? Almost all revolved around plot elements needed to drive the story. This was not intended to be a documentary!
One thing I want to address: there has been some criticism of the film for not using a TS actress to play the part. The real reason for this is simply the way Hollywood works. Though this was considered a very low-budget film, it still represents the investment of something probably in the neighborhood of $10 million. To raise that kind of capital, a producer has to be able to assure his investors of a reasonable return. For a film with few special effects, no explosions, and no violence to speak of, the only way to guarantee a that is to have a name actor in the film. On the basis of Desperate Housewives, Felicity Huffman is "bankable".
Even if the film could have gotten made with a TS in the role, it would not have had a significant budget for promotion and very few people would ever have heard of it, much less seen it. This seems a reasonable tradeoff to me, especially when viewed in the light of a wonderful performance.
Annie
mellisa whats that suppose to mean?
It means men like fast moving action movies. Not all men, but it seems the majority of them.
Melissa
Quote from: Annie Social on June 05, 2006, 08:29:40 PM
One thing I want to address: there has been some criticism of the film for not using a TS actress to play the part. The real reason for this is simply the way Hollywood works. Though this was considered a very low-budget film, it still represents the investment of something probably in the neighborhood of $10 million. To raise that kind of capital, a producer has to be able to assure his investors of a reasonable return. For a film with few special effects, no explosions, and no violence to speak of, the only way to guarantee a that is to have a name actor in the film. On the basis of Desperate Housewives, Felicity Huffman is "bankable".
Even if the film could have gotten made with a TS in the role, it would not have had a significant budget for promotion and very few people would ever have heard of it, much less seen it. This seems a reasonable tradeoff to me, especially when viewed in the light of a wonderful performance.
Annie
They probably could have gotten actress Alexis Arquette to play the TS role instead since she is a real live transitioning TS. She has appeared in other low budget films. Alexis is related to actress Rosanna Arquette and actor/comedian David Arquette who is married to actress Courtney Cox. Had the producers known this they likely could have promoted the film better with Alexis Arquette playing the role. Like you said, they probably needed someone they could bank on so Felicity Huffman got the role instead.
Shannon
Quote from: Shannon on June 11, 2006, 08:04:42 PM
Like you said, they probably needed someone they could bank on so Felicity Huffman got the role instead.
I think they probably wanted someone who could act.
Leigh
Quote from: Shannon on June 11, 2006, 08:04:42 PM
Like you said, they probably needed someone they could bank on so Felicity Huffman got the role instead.
Being married to the executive producer (William H. Macy) probably didn't hurt either ;)
Quote from: Kate on June 13, 2006, 10:24:17 AM
Being married to the executive producer (William H. Macy) probably didn't hurt either ;)
I believe he became Executive Producer after she was offered the role...
The final exam is over. My grades are in. The kids are asleep and my SO is away.
I popped Transamerica into the DVD. I watched the promos. I listened to Dolly Parton's music video. I pressed "Play" for the movie....
THe faces move, but not a single bit of sound!
I go back and I see and hear every other feature on the DVD, but not the movie itself!
Arrrrrgh!!!!!
:::: deep cleansing breath ::::
I'm okay. A litle frustrated, but I'm okay...
Chaunte
Added 25 June:
I finally was able to tame the gremlins that prevented me from hearing the movie!
I enjoyed this SO much more than Normal! Normal, which is an excellent movie, was far too serious for me. I need the laughter to help look at myself in the mirror, which TransAmerica forced me to do. I need the dramatic comedy to show that we are simply human. We have all the same quirks and foibles as everyhone else, just the packaging is different.
I definitly want to see this movie. Just saw the trailer.
Love
owen
love being female
It never came to any of the theaters in our town. But I found it at Block Buster so plan on renting it this next week. I really want to see it after what I have read.
:)
Jillieann
It didn't come to my cinema in Alice Springs, so I had to wait for the DVD, when It came out I bought it, and I enjoyed it, my sister borrowed it from me as she has been wanting to see it, and she enjoyed it too, now if only we can get our parents to see it, but I don't think they will as it really isn't their cup of tea, although Mum might.
i thought tranamerica was kiech
I know this is reviving a very old topic, but for people that are new here that have
not seen the movie I think it is worth mentioning.
I saw Transamerica for the first time this evening and it does have it's faults but
overall I think it portrays transsexuals in a good light and I fell in love with Bree (played
by Felicity Huffman). I think anyone that has not seen it should and they will be entertained
at the very least.
Amanda
Heh, it is more than a little bit of a necropost. Though i personally disagree with the prior assessment. The film is a bit of a travesty that only attempts to humanize slightly an already ridiculous stereotype. I've gone out of my way more than once to direct people away from this film because of that.
The Transgeneration series was slightly better in terms of 'realism' but i still wasn't too impressed with their choices of mtf's. :)
QuoteThough i personally disagree with the prior assessment. The film is a bit of a travesty that only attempts to humanize slightly an already ridiculous stereotype. I've gone out of my way more than once to direct people away from this film because of that.
The Transgeneration series was slightly better in terms of 'realism' but i still wasn't too impressed with their choices of mtf's.
Yes Bree was a little over the top, but that made you love her and it's MILES better than any portrayal
of transsexuals I've ever seen. Jeezz... it's just a movie with all the limitations and baggage that comes with that. No one
is ever going to make a movie about transsexuals that is true to life... no one would want to see it. Bree is funny because
she is a little over the top. It's not meant to be a training manual for transsexuals, it's meant to entertain the general public. And
this is SO much better than others I've seen where we are depicted as unpassable losers.
Amanda